Yes, seniors should drink electrolytes, especially when dehydrated from heat, illness, or intense exercise, as aging affects the body's fluid balance, but it's best to get them from balanced meals and low-sugar drinks, using commercial electrolyte drinks sparingly and with a doctor's guidance due to potential sugar/sodium issues. Focus on hydration with water, but incorporate natural electrolyte sources (fruits, veggies, dairy) and use electrolyte supplements or sports drinks carefully, watching for signs of imbalance or excess.
Older adults are at higher risk for becoming dehydrated when they're sick. Electrolyte drinks can help prevent dehydration. The best electrolyte drink for older adults depends on the nutritional content of the drink, cost, and the person's underlying health conditions.
Also, because one of the main electrolytes in these drinks is sodium, if you're salt-sensitive or already have high blood pressure, it's best to avoid these drinks outside of the situations outlined above.
Rosenkranz said that some people, including pregnant women and people with kidney disease, need to be particularly cautious about taking in electrolyte supplements.
Whether you are suffering from dehydration due to heat, the occasional hangover, vomiting, diarrhoea, travel, pregnancy or simply haven't had enough water, rest assured Hydralyte will rapidly rehydrate and get you back to your best self. Suitable from newborns to the elderly, Hydralyte has you and the family covered.
Hydralyte contraindications generally involve existing kidney disease, heart/blood pressure issues, diabetes, or certain severe dehydration states; always consult a doctor if you have these conditions or are pregnant/breastfeeding, especially if vomiting/diarrhea persists, as its sodium/sugar content needs careful management. Specific products (like Hydralyte Plus) have stricter guidelines for pregnancy, and severe cases (e.g., shock, altered consciousness, bilious vomiting) require immediate professional medical attention, not just Hydralyte.
Here are some of the changes you may notice if you have too few or too many electrolytes in your system:
5 Signs of an Electrolyte Imbalance
You need electrolytes if you experience muscle cramps, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, or nausea, especially after heavy sweating from exercise, hot weather, or illness (vomiting/diarrhea). Signs of depletion include thirst, salt cravings, weakness, and confusion, which indicate your body lost minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium faster than it can replace them. Replenish with sports drinks, electrolyte powders, or foods like bananas, yogurt, and coconut water.
“Taking very high levels of certain electrolytes or consuming extra electrolytes when you do not need them can contribute to potentially harmful health concerns such as elevated blood pressure, gastrointestinal issues, irritability, confusion, muscle cramps, weakness and headaches,” she says.
Sources of Electrolytes
Some beverages naturally contain electrolytes. Examples include: Milk (high in calcium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus) Orange juice and coconut water (high in potassium)
The best time to drink electrolytes will depend on various factors such as physical activity, hydration levels, and individual needs, but generally, it's recommended to consume them before, during, or after intense exercise or when experiencing symptoms of dehydration.
Sodium and potassium are electrolytes that help your body maintain fluid and blood volume. Consuming too much sodium and too little potassium can raise your blood pressure. High blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
High Sugar Content and Artificial Additives
These factors can not only lead to a variety of health issues, from dehydration to weight gain. In addition to the high sugar content, many of these drinks also contain artificial additives which can further contribute to certain health risks and conditions as well.
Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder, particularly in older adults. Its high prevalence in this population is driven by underlying conditions such as heart and kidney failure, as well as by factors like polypharmacy and malnutrition.
7 Healthy and Nutritious Drinks for Seniors
With ability to check electrolytes at home, you can maintain optimal health. Check sodium levels at home with our sodium urine test strips and urine test kit. This comprehensive at-home test for humans includes sodium and Vitamin C tests, offering accurate urine analysis for health monitoring.
Adding a small amount of salt to your drinking water helps replenish these lost electrolytes, promoting better water absorption and preventing dehydration. “If you are dehydrated and need an extra boost, it should be just a pinch, not enough to taste,” Bastian says.
Low electrolyte levels can affect how your nerves and muscles work. That can impair your heartbeat and rhythm, your brain function, and how muscles throughout your body work. Since electrolytes regulate fluid balance and blood pressure, you may also develop high or low blood pressure from low electrolytes.
The kidney is a principally responsible organ for retention and excretion of electrolytes and fluid in healthy individuals.
Foods and Drinks With Electrolytes
Key Takeaways. Electrolytes help regulate your body's fluid balance. Drinking more fluids with electrolytes can temporarily increase urination. Frequent peeing after electrolytes means your body is balancing fluids properly.
Dehydration and excessive sweating are common causes of electrolyte imbalances, which is one reason why it's important to drink plenty of fluids during strenuous physical activity or when you're in a hot environment. Interestingly, overhydration can also cause imbalances through excess urination and dilution.
Low potassium (hypokalemia) symptoms range from mild to severe, often including muscle weakness, cramps, fatigue, and constipation, but can escalate to serious issues like abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), lightheadedness, and even paralysis in severe cases, with some people experiencing no symptoms at all. Other signs can involve heart palpitations, increased thirst/urination, and abdominal discomfort.